Chapter 313: 【Alluring Monster】 (Part 2)

Ji Feihua added a stroke to the painting, his eyes fixed on the scroll, and spoke in a weird, effeminate tone: "What are you doing standing there like an idiot? Come over and help Zajia grind the ink."

Hu Xiaotian hurried over, bowed to Ji Feihua, then stood where the little eunuch had been, helping grind the ink while glancing at the desk—yet he saw Ji Feihua's brush move like a dragon and snake, pouring his passion into the ink, painting a soaring eagle against the vast sky: on the scroll, a azure eagle lifted its head and flapped its wings, striking the heavens, a red sun rose slowly behind it, all the splendid rivers and mountains lay beneath it, the sky seemed wholly under its control, the painting was superb to the utmost.

No matter how Hu Xiaotian might judge Ji Feihua in his heart, he had to admit that Ji Feihua's painting was truly exquisite and unparalleled; seeing his appearance, more beautiful than a woman's, it was hard to imagine this person could paint such a wildly domineering scroll, his style bold and grand, magnificent and sweeping; standing to the side and watching, one couldn't help but feel a chest as broad as the sun and moon, with myriad phenomena.

Ji Feihua put down his brush, picked up the wolf-hair tip, left his signature on the scroll, then pointed to the seal beside it; Hu Xiaotian helped dip the seal in vermilion ink, and Ji Feihua took it and stamped his own name‑sized mark—Flowing Flower Waste Person—onto the painting.

Seeing the two characters "waste person," Hu Xiaotian fell into thought; Ji Feihua's self‑title of "waste person" must relate to his having been castrated and made a slave—every eunuch in this palace has a painful past.

Ji Feihua set the brush on the rack; Hu Xiaotian, being perceptive, picked up the pristine white towel that had been readied and presented it with both hands,

Ji Feihua took the towel and wiped his hands. His rippling, water‑like eyes glanced at Hu Xiaotian's face, then he broke into a smile so bewitching it could overturn nations; Hu Xiaotian lowered his head even further—no wonder the new emperor, bewitched by him, had discarded all the palace beauties; Ji Feihua truly is a calamitous monster.

Ji Feihua said, "You seem to be afraid of Zajia!"

Hu Xiaotian lowered his gaze to the floor and said respectfully, "Not fear, but respect!"

"What's the difference?" Ji Feihua turned and walked to the window, lifting his head to gaze at the spotless blue sky. His clear eyes reflected the sky's azure, appearing unfathomable and ever‑changing.

Hu Xiaotian naturally understood that he was afraid, not respectful; deep down he remained wary of Ji Feihua, for this neither‑male‑nor‑female monster before him was supplanting Quan De'an in every way, becoming the most powerful eunuch in the palace.

Ji Feihua said, "Zajia has met your father a few times in the past; we may not be friends, but we are certainly not enemies." He turned to Hu Xiaotian and said, "Please have a seat."

Hu Xiaotian replied, "I am the son of a condemned official; I dare not sit!"

Ji Feihua chuckled, shook his head, and said, "Zajia tells you to sit. Just sit." He pointed to the chair beside him.

Seeing Ji Feihua sit first, Hu Xiaotian then took his seat cautiously, putting on an expression of nervous unease and fearful reverence.

Ji Feihua said, "Zajia has noticed you for a while; you're a clever lad."

Hu Xiaotian said respectfully, "Director, you overpraise me; I dare not accept it."

Ji Feihua smiled, "Saying 'I dare not accept' could mean two things: either you won't admit you're smart, or I've simply misjudged you. What exactly do you mean by 'I dare not accept'? Could it be that Zajia's vision is at fault?"

Hu Xiaotian felt his heart sink under the questioning; Ji Feihua really is no ordinary person. He hurriedly bowed and said, "Director, how could your vision be wrong? I just feel I'm not yet worthy of your praise."

"Praising someone as smart isn't always a compliment—'the tree that stands out in the forest will be blown down by the wind,' and clever people sometimes fall victim to their own cleverness. Do you agree?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Director, your instruction is correct." Associating with someone as crafty as Ji Feihua demands constant vigilance; a moment's lapse could offend this high‑ranking power‑holder, possibly costing one's life. Yet from Ji Feihua's current demeanor, he seems quite easygoing with me—could it be that he summoned me here not to target me, but to win over hearts?

Ji Feihua asked, "How is Attendant Liu's injury?"

Hu Xiaotian replied, "After all, he's old, so his recovery is slow."

Ji Feihua nodded, "Yes, he's old—he can't even take care of himself, so how could he look after the Emperor?"

Hu Xiaotian knew Ji Feihua habitually disrespected Liu Yuzhang; such remarks were hardly appropriate to say to his face, let alone refute him directly, so staying silent was best.

Ji Feihua said, "Are you now handling most of the affairs of the Imperial Gardens Bureau?"

Hu Xiaotian replied, "I've just entered the palace; I don't understand many things—I do whatever Attendant Liu tells me."

Ji Feihua smiled, "It seems Attendant Liu treats you well, and you are very respectful toward him."

Hu Xiaotian sensed a deeper meaning in his words, smiled, and said, "I also hold you, Director, in great respect." His reply was quite crafty, meaning you ought to treat me better as well.

Ji Feihua asked, "In your view, who treats you better—Zajia or Attendant Liu?"

Hu Xiaotian's scalp tightened; he thought, "Isn't this just nonsense? We've only met a few times—when have you ever been good to me? Wei Hualin, the first day he came to the cellar, tried to kill me—could that be at your behest? And yet you dare compare yourself to Attendant Liu? But Hu Xiaotian quickly realized Ji Feihua wouldn't ask this for no reason; this man is deep‑schemed, obviously probing me with the question." Hu Xiaotian said, "Director, do you want the truth or a lie?"

A faint cold smile curled at Ji Feihua's lips; even the cold look was rather charming, his features more refined than most women's: "Of course I want the truth!"

"The truth is that Attendant Liu treats me better."

Ji Feihua burst out laughing, nodded, and said, "Zajia suddenly feels like hearing a lie now."

Hu Xiaotian smiled, "The lie is that Attendant Liu has always been good to me."

Ji Feihua said, "Always? That's certainly false—nothing in this world can withstand time; everyone faces birth, aging, sickness, and death. Even if he wished to stay good to you, he'd likely lack the strength later. Hu Xiaotian, Zajia values you greatly; would you be willing to work for me in the future?"

Hu Xiaotian had actually sensed this earlier; now Ji Feihua finally spoke it openly, he felt a relieved sigh from the depths of his heart—since Ji Feihua wanted to win him over, it proved he still had value to be used, and Ji Feihua would not harm him for the time being. He said respectfully, "As long as I am able, Director, a single order from you and I will give my utmost effort." Even Hu Xiaotian thought these words were too fawning, too nauseating, but the circumstances left him no choice.

Ji Feihua nodded, "Actually, Zajia doesn't have much for you to do; just keep an eye on the Imperial Gardens Bureau for me for now. Attendant Liu is already old—he can't keep hogging that post forever; it's time to make way for you youngsters."

Hu Xiaotian sighed inwardly; if Ji Feihua really let him take over Attendant Liu's position, wouldn't that make him the target of everyone's blame? Attendant Liu had shown him kindness; since coming to the Imperial Gardens Bureau, the old man had looked after him in every way, showering him with care—how could he do such an ungrateful thing? He said quietly, "Director, my experience is still shallow; I'm afraid I lack the qualifications."

"Since ancient times, heroes emerge from youth; your experience may be a little thin, but you already have the qualifications—you needn't act so fearful and reverent. Even if Zajia made you the chief seal‑holding eunuch, others might not be convinced. Zajia's meaning is: since Attendant Liu trusts you, just do your duty, work well in the Imperial Gardens Bureau, and incidentally keep an eye out for any secrets between Attendant Liu and Quan De'an."

Hu Xiaotian said respectfully, "Yes!"

Ji Feihua added, "The other day I happened upon something in the cellar of the Imperial Gardens Bureau—I wonder if it's yours?" He reached out; a steel needle as fine as a cow's hair gleamed with a cold light at his fingertip. Seeing the needle, Hu Xiaotian's heart sank—this was none other than the Violent Rain Pear Blossom Needle; evidently Ji Feihua had finally uncovered a clue. Hu Xiaotian blinked, then deliberately leaned in closer and said, "This looks like a needle, huh!"

"Violent Rain Pear Blossom Needle!" Ji Feihua said, watching Hu Xiaotian's expression closely, then continued slowly, "Have you ever seen one before?"

Hu Xiaotian replied, "I have— I once saw the little princess use it." He decided not to lie, for otherwise he could never fool Ji Feihua; since Ji Feihua suspected something, he might as well lay all his doubts bare—even if you are the director of the Directorate of Imperial Attendants, you probably wouldn't dare treat the reigning princess that way.

Ji Feihua said, "Zajia dares to assert that something must have happened in that wine cellar; Xiao Tian, are you willing to help Zajia get to the bottom of it?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded without hesitation.

Ji Feihua said, "Then go investigate."

As Hu Xiaotian prepared to take his leave, Ji Feihua suddenly added, "By the way, I heard a little eunuch went missing from your Imperial Gardens Bureau—have you found his whereabouts?"

Hu Xiaotian's apprehension grew; the missing eunuch Ji Feihua spoke of was undoubtedly Wang Desheng. He wondered whether Wang Desheng might be a pawn Ji Feihua had placed in the Imperial Gardens Bureau; if his guess were right, Ji Feihua likely had heard something about the underground passages. Hu Xiaotian said, "This person has been missing a long time; he has a blood‑brother who keeps coming to cause me trouble, insisting his disappearance is connected to me."

Ji Feihua smiled, "If it's got nothing to do with you, there's no need to give him face."

Hu Xiaotian said, "He's a favorite of Empress Jian."

Ji Feihua said lightly, "You just do your work well for me, and Zajia will back you up." Behind his calm, unruffled expression lay a heart of extraordinary arrogance; a director of the Directorate of Imperial Attendants, he was so arrogant as not to put Empress Jian in his eyes. (To be continued…)